Door switch deactivator



Feb. 24, 1959 E. E. sHATTow 2,875,290

DOOR SWITCH DEACTIVATOR Filed Aug. 7, 1958 INVENToR. EM/L E. SHA 7'7'0Wl Arrmsxs United States Patent O DOOR SWITCH DEACTIVATOR Emu E. shauow, chicago, nl. Application August 7, 1958, SerialNo. 753,778 4 Claims. (Cl. ZOU-61.79)

My invention relates to a door switch deactivator.

Modern automobiles are provided with switches which are mounted in the door frames and which are arranged to close an electrical circuit to turn on a dome light or other lights within the automobile whenever certain of the doors are opened. Where it is necessary or desirable that the doors remain open for an extended period of time, the automobile manufacturers have not provided means whereby the lights may be turned off so as to avoid unnecessary depletion of the automobile battery.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a switch deactivating device which has universal application for installation in automobiles having different switch constructions and mounting means therefor. It is known that automobiles of different manufacture have different types of door switches and mounting means.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the foregoing character which may be readily installed on a switch of the type mentioned to occupy a position between the door and door frame, and which may be selectively actuated to render the Yswitch operative or inoperative as desired.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my invention preparatory to mounting on an automobile door switch showing in broken and solid lines two different positions of the deactivating element, and showing also the securing elements in inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view thereof showing the switch in operative position, with the automobile door shown in broken lines;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view ysimilar to Fig. 2, but showing my invention in mounted position and the switch plunger deactivated;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the components of my invention in separated relation; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing my invention mounted on a different type of switch.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1-3 which illustrate a popular type of switch used on a relatively large number of automobiles, the numeral indicates a switch of the conventional type under consideration shown mounted in the door -frame 11 of an automobile. The switch 10 includes a generally tubular body which is snugly received within an opening in the door frame. The body is force-fitted into the opening so that it is held securely in position. Slidably supported within the body is a reciprocating plunger 12 normally biased outwardly by an encircling compression spring 13. In this position the switch elements 14 are rendered effective to close a conventional electrical circuit which includes the dome light and battery (not shown) when the door 15 is opened.

In the embodiment above described an annular es- `2,875,290 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 ice cutcheon plate 16 is attached to the body 10 and affords a ange for limiting the positioning of said body within the opening. The foregoing is all of conventional construction and forms no part of the invention which will presently be described.

My invention comprises a plate member 17 having corner portions struck out and bent rearwardly to foim medially disposed longitudinally aligned channel portions 18. The plate member 17 is also provided with a central aperture 19 of suiiicient size to accommodate the plunger 12. Two additional, somewhat ovalized apertures 21 are provided above and below the central aperture 19.

Frictionally retained within the channel portions 18 for relative sliding movement are a pair of opposed generally T-shaped securing elements 22 formed as illustrated, each comprising an elongated body portion having an outer end 23 provided with a ange 24 and an inner end 26 having two oppositely directed ears 27, said outer and inner ends being connected by an angular intermediate portion 28 whereby the planes of the respective inner and outer portions are olfset from each other. Each of the inner edges is provided with a relatively flat V-notch 29.

A switch deactivating element 31 comprising a strip of metal with the ends 32 thereof reversely bent embraces the plate member 17, as shown, and is arranged for sliding movement longitudinally thereof.

The device of my invention is adapted for ready universal mounting on a variety of types of door switches. For example, in the switch type illustrated in Fig. l, in order to install the device of my invention, the switch body 10 is drawn outwardly a short distance to provide clearance between the escutcheon plate 16 and the surface of the door frame 11.

The securing elements 22 are pulled outwardly as in Figs. 1 and 2 to the limit of their movement, and the device is positioned as in Fig. 2 with the plunger 12 passing through the opening 19. The elements 22 are then pushed inwardly from opposite sides so that the V-notched edges 29 engage against the body 10 rearwardly of the escutcheon plate 16 as in Fig. 3. When the switch body 10 is driven into its opening to the limit of its travel the elements 22 are held securely between the plate 16 and forward wall of the door frame 11, and the switch deaetivator of my invention is installed securely in position. It will be observed that by reason of the offset relationship of the portions 23 and 26 the plate 17 will be spaced forwardly of the escutcheon plate 16.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated in broken lines another type of switch having an escutcheon or mounting plate 36 provided with two apertures to receive screws 37 which are threaded into a door frame 38. In order to mount the device of my invention on this type of swtich, the screws 37 are tirst loosened to permit separation of the plate 36 from the door frame 38 so as to provide sufficient clearance to receive the securing elements 22 rearwardly of the plate 36, similarly as in the rst described construction. The apertures 21 of the plate 17 will be in registration with the screws 37 and will permit the use of a screw driver to tighten the screws 37 in order to secure the device in position.

While only two types of switches have been illustrated, it will be understood that the device of my invention may be installed on a variety of types of switches, whether used on doors of automobiles or in other uses.

When it is desired that the switch be operative, the deactivating element 31 is moved out of registration with the aperture 19, as in Fig. 2, so that the plunger 12 may pass freely through the aperture. In order to deactivate the switch, the plunger 12 is pushed inwardly and the element 31 is moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, in registration with the aperture 19 thereby providing a barrier which prevents the plunger cl2 from moving outwardly.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a novel door switch deactivator which nds universal application for usepwitli a large variety of types of'door switches and which is highly effective for its intended purpose.V

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a door switch having a body received in an aperture in a door frame and having a flange at its outer end arranged to normally engage the face of said door frame and a spring biased plunger normally held outwardly, a switchrdeactivator comprising a plate having a substantially centrally located aperture through which the plunger may pass and arranged to be superimposed on the outer end Vof said body, a pair of securing elements longitudinally aligned and carried by and rearwardly of said plate and slidable towards and away from each other, a member slidably mounted on said plate and movable into and out of registration with said aperture, the ends of said securing elements being adapted to engage said body and to be retained between said flange and said door frame and affordingV means whereby said deactivator is secured to said door switch.

2. In combination with a door switch having a body received in an aperture in a door frame and having a ange at its outer end arranged to normally engage the face of said door frame and a spring biased plunger normally held outwardly, a substantially rectangular plate having acentral aperture through which the plunger may pass and arranged to be superimposed on the outer end of said body, a pair of longitudinally aligned guide means rearwardly of said plate, a pair of substantially iiat securing members retained in said guide means and slidable towards and away from each other and adapted to engage said body and to be retained between said iiange and said i door frame, and a member slidably mounted relative to said plate and movable into and out of registration with said aperture.

3. In combination with a door switch having a body received in an aperture in a door frame and having a ilange at its outer end arranged to normally engage the face of said door frame and a spring biased plunger normally held outwardly, a substantially rectangular sheet metal plate having a substantially centrally located aperture and having opposite ends bent to form spaced longitudinally aligned guide means, substantially flat securing elements retained in said guide means and slidable towards and away from each other and adapted to engage said body and to be retained between the ange and the door frame with the aperture in registration with said plunger, a member mounted transversely of said plate and slidable longitudinally thereof into and out of registration with said aperture, `said member when in registration with said aperture being adapted to hold said plunger in depressed position.

4. In combination with a door Vswitch having a body received in an aperture in a door frame and having a iiange at its outer end arranged to normally engage the face of said door frame and a spring biased plunger normally held outwardly, a switch deactivator comprising a plate having Ya'substantially centrally located aperture through which the plunger may pass and arranged Vto be superimposed on the outer end of saidrbody, oppositely positioned slidable means carried by said plate and movable towards and away from Ysaid central aperture, said means being adapted to'engagve said body and to be retained between said ange and said door whereby"to secure said switch deactivator to said door switch, means slidably carried on said plate and movable into and out of registration withy said aperture, said last mentioned means when moved into registration with said aperture being adapted to hold said plunger in depressed condition.

Morgan Mar. 26, 1-957 Schultz Oct. 14, 1958 

